Please do not allow what is propagating in the streets to find a place here on these boards. I don't recall anyone hating someone else because of their race back in January, there is no need to allow emotions to cause that now. Unless your avatar is of you, I don't know or care to know any of your races, it is irrelevant.

A black man was killed by a cop and the black community is pissed. Don't ask why all of a sudden now, just know they are, and don't get caught up in the ignorant defensiveness of rhetorical questions. Maybe... just maybe you should ask your self why your community doesn't get equally as pissed when someone from your ethnicity is killed by a cop.

I believe that there are bad cops and that there are cops bad at being a cop but overwhelmingly the force is good and does good. If the public is going to get rid of any bad cops it is not going to get done by dividing by race and allowing the politicians to play us against each other, no single race has that horsepower anymore.

For those of you that believe strongly in the movement, be aware that you have some of the stupidest white people on this planet speaking for you and they are not furthering your cause one bit. There is a reason Dr. King did his own speaking, he knew that JamesBob podcasting from his moms basement would fu%^ up his message.

We are all here because we love a team, that team is struggling with social issues presently and it might be of value if we present a unified cooler head example for them. I know some of you believe that a good example can change the way others think, lets see if we can show our team how to fight along side each other rather than with each other.

That American flag represents all of us just like it represented every single race of American that fought beside me under it. It is the beacon to millions of immigrants that come here seeking liberty and freedom. History has shown that millions of Americans, all races and genders, can unite under it and be victorious. The colors represent unity not division. Red for hardiness & valor. Blue for vigilance, perseverance & justice. White signifies purity and innocence.

Even if you think all of the above is bull****; please done let what is out there divide us in here, for no reason other than you love this team and this place.

I understand your concerns and it is quite noble to take the high road. That has to work both ways however. There was plenty of sniping going on last year because of the anthem kneeling. The respect has to go both ways. Many of us have taken the high road before and got our teeth kicked in.

I agree many of the comments should be in the political section, but there comes a time when you simply have to stand your ground.

I think this nation is where it is right now because people have refused to fight back when they know they are in the right.

There's a new-ish saying I see floating around alot. "Don't start no ****, won't be no ***".

Kneeling during the anthem is the definition of starting some ****.

I understand your concerns and it is quite noble to take the high road. That has to work both ways however. There was plenty of sniping going on last year because of the anthem kneeling. The respect has to go both ways. Many of us have taken the high road before and got our teeth kicked in.

I agree many of the comments should be in the political section, but there comes a time when you simply have to stand your ground.

I think this nation is where it is right now because people have refused to fight back when they know they are in the right.

There's a new-ish saying I see floating around alot. "Don't start no ****, won't be no ***".

Kneeling during the anthem is the definition of starting some ****.

An elevated understanding and objective discussion doesn't require a concession of standing or high-ground neutrality.

It is very easy to keep things civil; decide your goal, what tone you want to set and don't get pulled into the weeds. I am naturally inclined to address each of the concerns that you have in your reply but I am not interested in an itemized tug of war with you and I wont be pulled into one. Obviously you need to vent; a lot of other people around here do as well but no one wants to just listen.

What sets these boards apart from other Saints boards is our ability to have a thoughtful discussion instead of just pages of strung together comments.

We all believe in our own strength and intelligence, well put it to the test. Engage in intellectual conversation and do not deviate.

These players need to learn to listen to OTHERS.

I have one question for both of you. In 10 words or less, what is your specific end game/goal/want?

Oak, I can sum up my endgame on just about every issue with one word...

TRUTH

Let's talk about the truth.

A lot of people in this country grew up on the same street, listening to the same people, tell the same stories and are none the wiser that those were just stories. Some of those stories were about bad white men, some were about bad black men... Today they fight in the streets for their version of the truth.

I get your point 100% Danno but presenting fact doesn't just change belief. People tend to cling to beliefs and it takes more than one pass with facts to open our eyes does it?

How do we teach men the value of listening over being heard?

I have not disagreed with anything that you or Danno have said and fully understand your points.

My abilities afford me the opportunity to sit in meetings with PHD Chemists, corporate executives and career engineers. My role is to listen, process and later provide feedback. My first observation is that I am the only one listening and I am not a decision maker.

I have one question for both of you. In 10 words or less, what is your specific end game/goal/want?

Without having a personal relationship with any of these men who are ranting about systemic racism, I can't teach them anything. I can only put the facts out there, hope someone reads it, and thinks about it long enough to figure things out.

It is up to each person to inform themselves. We can put the information out there - information that is readily available anywhere, to anyone who wants to know the truth - but we can't listen for them. These are guys who grew up with people telling them one thing, which happens to be founded on complete lies. And this is where that mentorship thing that you and I discussed the other day comes in. These guys need someone in their life that they trust to knock some sense into them.

In the meantime, I'm not going to stand for the preposterous accusation that WE are not listening. We've listened long enough. White conservatives have allowed themselves to be talked down into feeling guilty for something they have nothing to do with, for far too long. I'm not going to play that game. This isn't the time for playing nice with people who are filled with hate. I'm not talking about black people, as a whole. I'm talking about liberals of any color.

There are black people who want to be left alone, who are having their homes and businesses destroyed by both black and white people who presume to speak for ALL black people. Those are the people I feel for. They need our prayers and any help we can provide.

What is my end game? Getting people to look in the mirror.